Before Madison Square Garden: Karolina Kowalkiewicz Had to Buy Used Fight Shorts

#UFC strawweight title contender Karolina Kowalkiewicz hasn't always been at the top of the ranks, or, like many fighters, in the best financial situation.

Most fighters struggle to make ends meet in the beginning of their career, and rarely make the mega bucks like Conor McGregor or Brock Lesnar. Obviously, Kowalkiewicz is no different. She recounted her humble beginnings on her official Instagram ahead of the biggest fight of her life (h/t FloCombat).

"4 years ago, when I fought my first professional fight, I wore shorts that I bought in a second-hand shop for a dollar," she wrote. "Now my face is on an advert in the most expensive commercial space in the world, on Times Square in New York."

Kowalkiewicz made her pro MMA debut in 2012 for EFS 2 - Extreme Fighting Sports 2, where she defeated her opponent via second round TKO, and has been on a tear ever since.

She's gone undefeated (10-0) for the last four years and is fighting on arguably the biggest fight card in UFC history, in one of the most important sports venues in the world.

"Faith and hard work make miracles, dreams really come true," she said.

Kowalkiewicz will face fellow undefeated (12-0) Polish fighter and UFC strawweight champion Joanna Jędrzejczyk at #UFC205 the Saturday, November 12. Their fight is one of three championship fights.